Date:07/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/07/stories/2007070750680700.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A ‘sports’ ground sports poor look

K. Manikandan

East Tambaram Railway Colony residents have a ground to demand facilities

Photo: A. Muralitharan.

Makeover needed: Sports enthusiasts want better facilities at the Railway Ground in East Tambaram. —

TAMBARAM: The sprawling Railway Ground in East Tambaram Railway Colony has been an integral part of the life of residents for decades now. Even before the first rays of the sun touch the ground, scores of joggers and early morning walkers of all age groups descend here.

What the Marina beach is to the residents of Triplicane, Mylapore, Santhome, Alwarpet and nearby places, the Railway Ground is to the residents of East and West Tambaram, Selaiyur, Chitlapakkam and Tambaram Sanatorium, apart from the residents of Railway Colony. But the ground, that was once bright, now sports a dull look.

Football enthusiasts have appealed to Union Minister of State for Railways R.Velu to intervene. In a memorandum to the Minister, the Kancheepuram District Football Association has urged him to improve facilities on this ground. Association president D. S. Sivasamy said though the ground attracted a large number of sports enthusiasts, particularly football lovers and athletes, it lacked some important facilities.

A six-lane full-fledged athletic track could be provided around the football field. A compound wall and seating arrangement could be provided with rest and store rooms to develop the ground into a centre where athletes’ skills could be honed, Mr. Sivasamy said.